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Rain Sultanov: Inspired by Nature
ByThe bar is set high from the get go with "The White Birds of Qizilagac," an achingly lyrical composition of chamber jazz delicacy. Sultanov's soprano saxophone and cellist Linnea Olssonwho doubles on wordless vocalscarve the beguiling melody over a gentle pulse courtesy of Yashuito Mori's spare, richly sonorous double bass, Peter Nilsson's brushes and Iraku Koiava's gentle metallic percussion. These elements are the currents buoying pianist Shahin Novrasli's gliding, soaring flights in this quietly stunning opener.
Drama courses through the up-tempo "Up Lahij Mountains," with Novrasli and Sultanov unleashing energized yet contrasting solos over Nilsson and Mori's viscous rhythmsthe pianist's lines smooth-flowing, the saxophonist all staccato bursts. For Sultanov, however, the composition is the thing, and nowhere is this better illustrated than on the minor epic "On The Trail of Shirvan's Gazelles," a slow-burning, Wayne Shorter-esque meditation that employs space to powerful effect. Novrasli's elegant solothe left hand all but dormantmay be the centre-piece, but it's the simple beauty of saxophone and cello entwined in melody that remains foremost in the mind.
Sultanov juggles his ensemble to suit the mood: piano quartet carries "On the Absheron Hook," a nostalgic chamber piece uplifted by Mori's earthy bass improvisation; the trio of Yasef Eyvazov on oud, Sultanov on soprano saxophone and Koiava's deft percussion combine on the atmospheric intro to "Wild Wind of Zuvend," which then erupts into emotively charged modal terrain, with Sultanov and Novrasli sparring over a rumbling, broiling rhythmic stew.
Sultanov switches to tenor saxophone on the slower "Hirkan's Colors," where, shadowed on the defining melody by Ollson's cello, the saxophonist's subsequent yearning solo inspires an emotive response from the more expansive Novrasli. Oud, tenor and piano pass the baton in a series of plaintive, blues-infused solos on "The Breath of An Caspian Volcano," with Koiava's sotto voce udu providing the sole accompaniment.
An over-arching emotive vein permeates the music, whose suite-like qualities are perhaps best appreciated in uninterrupted flow. There's stark beauty in Sultanov's open love letter to his country -an intimate narrative that fires the imagination, and ultimately, seduces the heart.
Track Listing
Intro – The White Birds of Qizilagac; The White Birds of Qizilagac; Up Lahij Mountains; Intro – On The Trail of Shirvan’s Gazelles; On The Trail of Shirvan’s Gazelles; On the Absheron Hook; Intro - Wild Wind of Zuvend; Wild Wind of Zuvend; Hirkan’s Colors; The Breath of an Caspian Volcano
Personnel
Rain Sultanov
saxophone, sopranoRain Sultanov: soprano, tenor saxophones; Shahin Novrasli: piano; Linnea Olsson: cello, voice; Yasef Eyvazov: oud; Yasuhito Mori: double bass; Peter Nilsson: drums; Irakli Koiava: percussion.
Album information
Title: Inspired by Nature | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Ozella Music
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About Rain Sultanov
Instrument: Saxophone, soprano
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